Podcast Recap: Cavs 119, Magic 98

The Cavs completely dominated the Magic. Any worry that CavsNation had about Kyrie and Dion playing together were quickly dispelled. They were completely unstoppable and played the way we’ve been begging them to play for over a year. Kyrie was incredible, finishing 7-8 from the field, converting a bunch of awesome contested shots at the rack, and playing the role of distributor/defense-magnet quite well. Waiter was 10 of 15 shooting. He splashed all three of his 3s, and nine of his other 12 shots were taken in the paint. Perfect. Spencer Hawes, TRUE PATRIOT, flashed his passing and his 3-point stroke and Tristan Thompson was too much to handle. He made all eight of his free throws. Jarrett Jack and SuperDOVA managed the PG position well and Jack threw down a huge dunk. (I’m serious!) The execution tonight was just insurmountable, whether the Magic cared about winning or not. Even the shots the Cavs missed were open. They finished with 62 points in the paint and scored 70 points in the first. The Cavs are making it interesting!

Nate and I hopped in the ole podcast booth to talk at length about the Cavs. Mallory is in the process of posting to SoundCloud and iTunes, but, for now, the Podcast is available at Mixcloud

Tune in to find out about the game, the playoff race, #CavsRank, who the best dressed bench Cav is, which Cavalier legend I get to meet this weekend, and the details of our bet on whether the Cavs make the playoffs. Go Cavs!

If this team can sneak into the Playoffs and play Indiana or Miami (who both look lost), it will be a hell of an experience for them. Kyrie and Dion are growing so quickly. Dumars and Thomas doesn’t seem so outrageous anymore.

BELATED APRIL’S FOOL JOKE —COULD NOT GET THE GANE ON T.V. LAST NIGHT —-HAD RAIN DELAY OF REDS GAME –THAT WAS REALLY FUN TO WATCH ——–IF THEY ( DION / KYRIE ) CAN CONTINUE TO FIGURE IT OUT AND PLAY TOGETHER IT WOULD BE A VERY DYNAMIC DUO TO WATCH ” BATMAN AND ROBIN “–MAYBE THAT WOULD INTICE ” SUPERMAN / LBJ ” TO POSSIBLY RETURN TO CLEVELAND/ ” BELIEVELAND “—-GOING TO BE INTERESTING ( I HOPE ) DOWN TO VERY LAST GAME WHICH IS ALL OF US FANS EVER WANTED/ HOPED FOR—-GO CAVS !!

I like the Thomas / Dumars comparison . . . except that Joe Dumars was considered to be the best defensive guard in the NBA at the time. Michael Jordan hated him.

If it turns out to be the case, there will be a lot of years of fun basketball to watch – whether the Cavs win a championship or not. If it turns out to be the case, free agents are going to want to play here.

agree with Rodney on craft ( although I love the kid )—not even close to having an offensive n.b.a. game—–hate to bring this up 1 MORE TIME —IN THIS WEEKS SPORTS ILLUST.–HAVE AN ARTICLE ON SHAUN LIVINGSTON –HOW THEY ARE MAKING HIM THEIR TOP PRORITY TO RESIGN—–SIGNED WITH THE NETS FOR A PALTRY 1.3 MILLION—-HOW GOOD WOULD HE LOOK IN A CAVS UNIFORM—HIS VERSATILTY IS ENDLESS—-O.K. GOT THAT OFF MY CHEST “1MORE TIME “—GO CAVS

Cavs have been scoring a lot of points lately. I don’t see us as the “grind it out” type of team that Brown likes. We need to be able to win those games – but that’s not what we are.

Dion, interviewed after the game, said that he likes to be on the floor with Kyrie because there is less pressure. He uncharacteristically shot 10-15. Kyrie must feel the same way (7-8). Hawes definitely plays better with Kyrie on the floor.

How many of the teams remaining on our schedule have something to play for?

The schedules are very favorable for the Cavs. I know I’m at risk here for laying down a smackdown jinx, but here are the facts:

Cavs have six games left; only one against a team over .500- the last game against Brooklyn, and it’s conceivable that Brooklyn will rest their aging roster in that game. Four games at home, two on the road.

@Atl, Cha, Det, @Mil, Bos, Brk

Atlanta has eight games left. Five are against playoff contenders, including Miami and Indiana.

Cle, @Ind, Det, Bos, @Brk, Mia, Cha, @Mil

New York has six games left, all against playoff teams:

Was, @Mia, @Tor, Chi, @Brk, Tor

First things first: Friday is a must win. Period. If they don’t win, they’re toast.

If they do win…..they are one game back of Atlanta with five to play. Let’s assume they win, since it’s the only way they stay alive, and go from there.

After Atlanta, I think the Cavs finishing 4-1 (beat everyone but Cha) and the Hawks finishing 3-4 (beat Det, Bos, Mil; lose to Brk, Mia, Ind, Cha) is doable. A 2-4 finish from NY is also doable.

I’m not saying it’s likely. I’m saying it’s possible, and maybe even feasible. Truth be told, I’m not optimistic about Friday. Mike Brown has never been able to handle pressure games.

No tie breakers are in our favor, so we REALLY need the Knicks to bomb down the stretch and they are going to be just as motivated as the Cavs and are also on a roll (3 gm win strk, 7-3 in their last 10).

I’m optimistic about the Cavs taking down the Hawks tomorrow night, and then passing them. I’m not nearly as optimistic about the Knicks finishing 2-4.

Cavs might need to win out to get in. And no matter how well they are playing, an 8 game win streak would be almost inconceivable no matter the level of competition.

I’m still REALLY hoping it happens regardless of the likelihood. Hollinger Playoff Odds are only at 8.1%.

I agree with you T they need to be in these (playoff type games ) to help develop their growth and create a motivation that is what they want to strive to be in every year—kyrie said it himself he is having fun playing games at the end of the season THAT HAVE MEANING TO THEM ——–OTHER THAN A HIGH DRAFT PICK

I’ve been saying since before March that we needed to make it through March within 2 games of the 8 seed sinc ethe 8 games in April are all winnable and March was tough. They were 2.5 back and they definitely have a chance. I’m more worried about NYK than about Atlanta. Since Horford went out they have been in free fall and NY has been steadily getting better since the all star break.

Friday we have to win and from there were fighting to make up a game or two.

Does anyone know how the tiebreaker works? Last I heard we didn’t have the tiebreaker which hurts us this time of year.

I just liked how much he drove the ball last night. He has not done it that often in a game basically all year. Loved it…

Btw, yes, it was a (very) small sample size but the Cavs winning pct with Kyrie out this last time was basically twice the percentage as Kyrie’s career winning pct. so let’s not front and pretend like it’s some sort of lunacy to question his ultimate value to this team. Tons of all-star’s have been traded in this league, kids…

The Lineup: (Click for Author’s Archive)

Nate Smith is an Associate Editor. He grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and moved to NE Ohio in 2000. He adopted the Cavs in 2003 and graduated from Kent State in 2009 with a BA in English. He can be contacted at oldseaminer@gmail.com or @oldseaminer on Twitter.

Tom Pestak is an Associate Editor. He's from the west side of Cleveland and lives and (mostly) dies by the success and (mostly) failures of his beloved teams. You can watch his fanaticism during Cavs games @tompestak.

Robert Attenweiler is a Staff Writer. Originally from OH, he's long made his home in NYC where he writes plays and screenplays (www.disgracedproductions.com) some of which end up being about Ohio, basketball or both. He has also written for The Classical and the blog Raising the Cadavalier. You can contact him at rattenweiler@gmail.com or @cadavalier.

Benjamin Werth is a Staff Writer. He was born in Cleveland and raised in Mentor, OH. He now lives in Germany where he is an opera singer and actor. He can be reached at blfwerth@gmail.com.

Cory Hughey is a Staff Writer. He grew up in Youngstown, the Gary, Indiana of Ohio. He graduated from Youngstown State in 2008 with a worthless telecommunications degree. He can be contacted at theleperfromwatts@yahoo.com or @coryhughey on Twitter.

David Wood is our Links Editor. He is a 2012 Graduate of Syracuse University with an English degree who loves bikes, beer, basketball, writing, and Rimbaud. He can be reached on Twitter: @nothingwood.

Mallory Factor is the voice of Cavs: The Podcast. By day Mallory works in fundraising and by night he runs a music business company. To see his music endeavors check out www.fivetracks.com. Hit him up at Malloryfactorii@gmail.com or @Malfii.

John Krolik is the Editor Emeritus of Cavs: The Blog. At present, he is pursuing a law degree at Tulane University. You can contact him at johnkrolik@gmail.com or @johnkrolik.

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